The Inside the Hall Mailbag is a collection of questions tweeted to us via Twitter (@insidethehall) and sent to us via our Facebook page. Submit your questions and we’ll answer as many as we can.

Ryan Scherer (aka HoosierRyno) writes: Even though they will soon be back, how costly will Perea and Jurkin’s suspensions be to the depth of the front court, since they have not been able to actually play against unfamiliar opposition or opposing teams?

Obviously the suspensions have put both Hanner Mosquera-Perea and Peter Jurkin behind in terms of gaining valuable game experience, but they’ve also been able to practice with the team every day, so they’re not completely out of the loop. Looking at the schedule, they’ll have home games against Mount St. Mary’s, Florida Atlantic and Jacksonville that should all provide the opportunity to play solid minutes before Big Ten play arrives. And Indiana’s Big Ten slate is somewhat backloaded in terms of the difficulty of road games, so I’m not sure I see the suspensions being as costly as some may believe. — Alex Bozich

Mark Joseph writes: Piggy-backing on first above question – What problems do you think the Hoosiers will encounter incorporating the players currently suspended into a lineup that has been playing together and adjusting for 9 games?

There will be growing pains anytime you’re integrating new pieces into a team, especially one that’s been on a roll and winning. And it’s not only Mosquera-Perea and Jurkin who will potentially be introduced to the rotation — Derek Elston is also expected back in late Dec. or early Jan. from a torn meniscus.

The good news is Elston has been in the system for three years and has a grasp of what’s expected. Tom Crean has mentioned Elston has been very involved in practice and on the bench during games, so that’s a favorable development in terms of his capabilities as a leader. As I mentioned in the first question, I think those three home games with Mount St. Mary’s, Florida Atlantic and Jacksonville are going to be pivotal. Crean isn’t going to experiment too much because Indiana needs to stay sharp, but he’s going to do his best to get Mosquera-Perea and Jurkin as acclimated as possible into their potential roles on a short timetable. — Alex Bozich

@tim_skibbe writes: What is your take on the Watford/Sheehey debate of who should start (debated quite a bit on the forum)?

To be honest, I’m not sure how much it matters. Both are playing comparable minutes. Watford is at 25.7 per game and Sheehey’s at 21.7, so it’s not like starting versus coming off the bench is creating a large separation there. In Tuesday’s win over North Carolina, Watford started as he has for nearly every game in his career and Sheehey came off the bench. At halftime, Sheehey was giving the Hoosiers more, so he started the second half.

Overall, I think Sheehey seems to enjoy coming off the bench and providing that spark of energy, so assuming Watford is able to rebound from Tuesday’s effort, I’d be surprised to see any type of permanent switch to move the senior out of the lineup, at least for now. — Alex Bozich

Ray Rodriguez writes: Jeremy Hollowell has been getting the bulk of his minutes filling in in the front court; with DE, HP, PJ all returning how far down does he slide in the rotation while playing on the wing?

I think Hollowell may find himself on the fringe of the rotation when Elston and Mosquera-Perea return. He looked shaky against both Georgetown and North Carolina and Mosquera-Perea in particular brings a better rebounding prowess and more size that’s going to be important when play becomes more physical in the Big Ten.

Hollowell is arguably one of the most talented freshmen in the Big Ten, but the reality is that he’s got proven, experienced players in front of him on the depth chart. He’s averaging 14.4 minutes per game right now, but seven to 10 per game could be more realistic once the roster is at full strength. — Alex Bozich

Matt Uhl writes: Does UofL’s admittance into the ACC alter in any way Fred Glass’s hinting towards a football/basketball series with the Cardinals?

I’m not sure Fred Glass ever hinted at a series with the Cardinals in football or basketball, it was Louisville Athletics Director Tom Jurich who said he’d like to see Indiana and Louisville play in every sport. A lot of the motivation behind that comment probably stemmed from the fact that Louisville was desperate to get better non-conference opponents in football as the Big East sputtered away into mediocrity.

Now that the Cardinals will be in the ACC (most likely beginning in 2014) and playing against schools like Florida State and Clemson every year, their motivation may not be as strong to play a football series. I still think the basketball series makes a lot of sense because of the proximity of the programs and their tradition. — Alex Bozich

@BradBmrollin writes: when is Derek Elston coming back?

Elston is expected to return right around the beginning of the Big Ten schedule. Indiana’s first two league games are at Iowa and Penn State and then they return home to play Minnesota, so it’s conceivable that Elston would return in one of those games. — Alex Bozich

@LaceyLC writes: do u think will and Vic will leave early?

I think there’s a possibility that Oladipo could test the NBA waters after the season, but I don’t see Sheehey leaving early. Looking at the stock of Oladipo, he’s on the radar at this point, but appears to be a second round pick at best right now. That can easily change, however.

If Oladipo improves his shooting from the 3-point line and free throw line as the season moves along, he’s going to have a better case for at least exploring the possibility of making the leap. Right now, he’s just a shade over 30 percent from the 3-point line and just 60 percent from the foul line. He’s going to get open looks from outside and he’s going to get to the foul line, so both of those numbers will need to come up. He’s shooting an amazing 76.3 percent on 2-point field goal attempts, but most of his looks are coming from point blank range. It’s hard to see that translating to the NBA. — Alex Bozich

@tim_skibbe writes: Do you think Duke should now be #1 b/c of their big wins so far this year, or do you think IU should stay #1 till beaten?

Do I think Duke should be No. 1? No. Would Duke be deserving of a No. 1 ranking? Absolutely. But the nature of polls, especially in college basketball, is this: You don’t move out of the No. 1 spot without a loss. The Hoosiers will and should remain No. 1 in both polls until they’re beaten. That’s the way the system works. — Alex Bozich

Alex, thanks for answering these questions. I can’t wait to see them play Florida Atlantic in December! Only because it will be the first time in my life to set foot into Assembly Hall. I don’t think I could have picked a better year to do it!

SCHoosier

Team chemistry while trying to integrate HMP/PJ is a good question. IU is close to firing on all cylinders.. will two more rotations mess that up? There are 3 games after Butler to get that done. My bigger worry is what kind of shape are Perea (boot) and Elston in to get up and down the court. DE should pick up where he left off ..but getting in game shape is another issue. I just don’t see Jurkin being the first sub in for Cody with all the other line-ups that have been productive during the suspensions. Guess that’s why Crean makes the big bucks. He’ll figure it out.

Mop Lady

Alex–

any word on the recruits at last nights game?

thanks again

BadBoyHulls

Hopefully chemistry won’t be an issue since the return of these players will slot people back into their natural positions and the team seems really close so I believe the adjustment of playing time won’t negatively affect those who get a reduction.

As far as conditioning, that’s the nice thing about our depth is they have people who can give them a breather until they build up their endurance. My real concern is the explosiveness of Perea. I am hoping the injury hasn’t hampered what makes him the kind of player he has the ability to be and what we are all waiting to see. Who knows maybe for him the suspensions could have been a blessing in disguise of not rushing back too early. I doubt it though.

Guest

This: 120 dB = jet plane takeoff, siren

was quoted that the db for AH tuesday night was….114 db !!!

cooper

I have to disagree on Duke. They have beaten three teams in the top 10, they deserve to be No. 1. Its the problem with rankings before the season starts. It lets poor teams (UCLA) in the rankings when they haven’t proven squat. With that said, its not the BCS, so who cares?

I hope Hollowell doesn’t lose playing time. They have him playing out of position so of course he will struggle. He should be a solid back up 3 to Watford. I really like Watford’s game but I have concerns that he doesn’t fit in this offense anymore. He can’t get up and down the floor fast enough if IU is going to play at the speed they did against UNC. He is a half court player not a run and gun guy.

I think most of the IU fans overrate Hulls but I will say he is much improved all around from last year. He has been pretty impressive. His off the ball defense is better too, but staying in front of guards is still going to be a problem.

cooper

I have to disagree on Duke. They have beaten three teams in the top 10, they deserve to be No. 1. Its the problem with rankings before the season starts. It lets poor teams (UCLA) in the rankings when they haven’t proven squat. With that said, its not the BCS, so who cares?

I hope Hollowell doesn’t lose playing time. They have him playing out of position so of course he will struggle. He should be a solid back up 3 to Watford. I really like Watford’s game but I have concerns that he doesn’t fit in this offense anymore. He can’t get up and down the floor fast enough if IU is going to play at the speed they did against UNC. He is a half court player not a run and gun guy.

I think most of the IU fans overrate Hulls but I will say he is much improved all around from last year. He has been pretty impressive. His off the ball defense is better too, but staying in front of guards is still going to be a problem.

azhoosier

This: 120 dB(decibels) = jet plane takeoff, siren

was quoted that the db for AH tuesday night was….114 db !

http://twitter.com/hooosierdaddy01 David Gray

When everyone returns, here is what we’ll have for an approximate depth chart:

IU displayed their potential on Tuesday night agaisnt UNC. IU would beat Duke at Cameron. IU is number 1 until beaten…

HoosierPat

Watching TV doesn’t do Assembly Hall justice. You can see the atmosphere on TV but when you are in the Hall you can really feel it. You will be impressed to say the least.

HoosierPat

There is no drop off in energy no matter who is in the game. They all play hard nosed defense and run the floor. No other team in the country has the depth IU has.

Kenneth234

To me it does not matter who Duke has beaten thus far…I watched their games against pUKe, and now Ohio State, and to put in simply, they do not pass the eye test. I was thoroughly disappointed in the inability of Ohio St to move their feet on ball screens in that game against Duke, and their defensive rotations were very poor as well. I was really surprised because they are an athletic team. Other than that, I do not think that after Thomas, they can truly depend on anyone else to get points for themselves or others outside of Thomas and Craft in a two man game scenario.

As for pUKe, they may get better as the season goes on, but they will not likely be a top tier team no matter what this year. Florida looked pretty good tonight, and I would not be surprised if pUKe doesn’t even win the SEC. And we all have to put the Louisville win into perspective, the Cardinals were without Deng.

JohnFromBeyond

Cooper, alot of people share your opinion of the No 1 team, although I do not. Here is another angle to back up what Alex said… If you are willing to reconsider the preseason No 1 team after 7 games, then you should also reconsider ALL the teams, including their current rankings. By next week, I suspect that none of those Top 5 teams that Duke defeated will be ranked in the Top 5. Kentucky, for example, just lost again tonight so they will drop further. After watching Ohio St yesterday, I don’t see them being a top 10 team when things settle out. So, even though Duke has some very impressive victories, I think we’ll see they weren’t as impressive as originally thought.

All of this is just opinion, and the Duke and IU fans can both make a pretty good case for No 1. KenPom is fairly unbiased, and they have IU a solid No 1.

We are getting the advantage of a preseason No 1 ranking now, by keeping it until we lose, as Alex explained — that’s how the polls work. I say that’s fair, since last season we were stuck being unranked for the longest time, even after beating Kentucky if I remember right. Why? Because that’s how polls work, people above you have to lose before you can move up. Now we’re getting a little payback!

JohnFromBeyond

Cooper, alot of people share your opinion of the No 1 team, although I do not. Here is another angle to back up what Alex said… If you are willing to reconsider the preseason No 1 team after 7 games, then you should also reconsider ALL the teams, including their current rankings. By next week, I suspect that none of those Top 5 teams that Duke defeated will be ranked in the Top 5. Kentucky, for example, just lost again tonight so they will drop further. After watching Ohio St yesterday, I don’t see them being a top 10 team when things settle out. So, even though Duke has some very impressive victories, I think we’ll see they weren’t as impressive as originally thought.

All of this is just opinion, and the Duke and IU fans can both make a pretty good case for No 1. KenPom is fairly unbiased, and they have IU a solid No 1.

We are getting the advantage of a preseason No 1 ranking now, by keeping it until we lose, as Alex explained — that’s how the polls work. I say that’s fair, since last season we were stuck being unranked for the longest time, even after beating Kentucky if I remember right. Why? Because that’s how polls work, people above you have to lose before you can move up. Now we’re getting a little payback!

HoosierPat

I believe IU is the best team in the country. To me, that is what the ranking should be about, who is best, not who has the best resume.

Kenneth234

Unfortunately, we simply do not see much in the way of competition outside of Butler until the Big Ten season starts. However, there is zero reason to think that we will not be the last of the undefeated teams as we move through the conference games.

However, I am happy that we will get a trip out to Iowa as our first Big Ten game. We owe them a big spanking after the one we received there last year. But the big games this year will be against Michigan and at Ohio St, and at Michigan St. as usual.
If we can prove that we can go on the road with our A game, than I cannot see anyone being better than us.

Kenneth234

Unfortunately, we simply do not see much in the way of competition outside of Butler until the Big Ten season starts. However, there is zero reason to think that we will not be the last of the undefeated teams as we move through the conference games.

However, I am happy that we will get a trip out to Iowa as our first Big Ten game. We owe them a big spanking after the one we received there last year. But the big games this year will be against Michigan and at Ohio St, and at Michigan St. as usual.
If we can prove that we can go on the road with our A game, than I cannot see anyone being better than us.

http://www.babytown.com/ OceanArcher

looks like Sheehey jumped off the wrong foot in that picture. Obviously it didn’t affect his shots much lol

CreanFaithful

Can we confirm whether he is in a boot? I was under the assumption that he has been practicing…

DeeLyle

Good catch. I wonder what caused him to jump off the wrong foot….weird.

DeeLyle

Cooper, I respectfully disagree. I believe Duke’s wins were impressive, but I also believe many of those teams were overrated.

DeeLyle

Agreed. Just a great place to watch a game…

DeeLyle

I think we might also see hanner at the 5 quite a bit.

DeeLyle

I think we might also see hanner at the 5 quite a bit.

CreanFaithful

Definitely not the way I was taught… But who’s to say it’s the “wrong foot”? As long as the result is points on the board, it was the “right foot” in my book.

http://www.facebook.com/doug.wilson.9404 Doug Wilson

What a sad day it is when fans are giving up on CWat for having a bad game. The dude did help hold McAdoo to ten points, collected 5 rebounds, and showed his ability to attack.
As previously stated before, “I really like Watford’s game but I have concerns that he doesn’t fit in this offense anymore. He can’t get up and down the floor fast enough if IU is going to play at the speed they did against UNC. He is a half court player not a run and gun guy.” What kind of nonsence is that thinking? Watford wins a Espy after inbounding a ball, running 3/4 length of the Court and shoots a three, and still has time to do the Statue of liberty pose. A game of fractions Man, on three of his 3’s, Christian just shot the ball too hard and the ball just missed going in. Will Sheehey was coming of a great game on Sunday, and it had carried over to the “North Cackalacky” game, so why wouldn’t Will get the minutes? That’s the thing about this team, nobody has to carry the team, They now have the confidence and the pieces, to go hard, and worry about three things. 1) Have Fun, 2)Go Hard, and 3) Share the brick, as if you where Jesus, passing out the Loaves and fishes.
Is it me or is Hulls became more dynamic and quicker by being the benefactor of working with Yogi. What I have come to understand, from being a Marine and Coach, is I have learned more from teaching than I ever did from participating. Hulls is the Man! Congrats to him and his off season work.
Hell the Hole team is a bunch of “Bad Boys.” One last note, Oli is one Feathery Dude. He has brought swagger to Cook Hall. That Player enterview he gave after the UNC game was my favorite to date. “Fore the Love of the Game,” Go IU!

marcusgresham

Got my tickets for the Mt. St. Mary’s game. Lower level; just hope we’re low enough to see the entire scoreboard (we weren’t able to at Hoosier Hysteria.)

CreanFaithful

“Oli” makes me think of Hoosiers the movie — that character is the polar opposite of Olidipo, whom I assume you are referencing. Perhaps the characters name is Olley (guy that is really short, goofy and shoots grandma style free throws)? Anyway, after considering this, I love the nickname…

http://www.facebook.com/doug.wilson.9404 Doug Wilson

Sorry, I am a Hoosier that has been in Australia for way too long my friend. Oli would definitely be the nickname in Australia.

http://www.facebook.com/doug.wilson.9404 Doug Wilson

Wasn’t that his two hand dunk?

http://www.facebook.com/doug.wilson.9404 Doug Wilson

Wasn’t that his two hand dunk?

HannerTime Hoosier

Well, there is no question IU is #1 in college Hoops! What, did I hear some dissension that Duke might be?! No way could they handle the stellar IU defense and waves of offense.
Cwat catchin’ some flack for a sub-par offensive performance? Yes, the past is history and he needs to bring it each game, no one-man show . . . make the xtra pass to the guy underneath. The common theme in all the post-game press conferences is “Know your role and play it!”
IU will be scary good by the time NCAA tourney arrives!!!

DeeLyle

I sat in row 31 for the Ball State game and had no issues. I would expect obstructed views of the scoreboard somewhere around row 35-40. Hope that helps.

DeeLyle

I think the dunk was more of a baseline angle. Sheehey looks to be shooting a runner in the pic above.

DeeLyle

I think the dunk was more of a baseline angle. Sheehey looks to be shooting a runner in the pic above.

DeeLyle

I think it’s fair to give Watford a hard time for his performance against UNC, but no true fan is giving up on him. Think of it as tough love to get him to play better.

HoosierGrad07

He has been out of the boot for the better part of 3 weeks. And has been practicing, I expect him to be at his full “explosiveness”, which is truly something to see…

HoosierGrad07

After we beat KY last year we debuted in both polls at #18. Thankfully the voters weren’t that blind

Great! that is what I thought, but the OP had me worried… Ready for some Air Columbia!

unclekerfuffle

If you are below row 40 you should be okay.

cooper

You take a large leap from equating he doesn’t fit in a fast break offense to him being given up on. One three against UK has nothing to do with the argument. It is the second greatest shot in the history of the school but that has little to do with a fast break offense.

I said I like his game, its just not a fast break game. He is methodical like Paul Pierce, who wouldn’t be comfortable in IU’s fast break offense either but is a Hall of Famer.

If IU is going to run up and down the floor, they are better with Sheehey. If they play more half court, they are better with Watford. Doesn’t mean he shouldn’t play, its just not the system for him.